Escape to Paradise: Florianopolis' Pousada Mar Do Leste Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we’re diving headfirst into the dazzling world of Pousada Mar Do Leste in Florianópolis, Brazil. "Escape to Paradise" indeed? Let’s see if it actually delivers, shall we? I’m gonna be brutally honest, because, well, that's what I do. This review is gonna be a rollercoaster, just like the ocean tides they probably have there… Here we go!
The Accessibility Abyss (and Some Silver Linings)
Alright, let’s rip the band-aid off first. Accessibility. Ugh. This is where things get… complicated. They do say "Facilities for disabled guests" are present, which is a glimmer of hope. But the devil’s in the details, people! Without specifics about ramps, elevators, or accessible rooms with roll-in showers, it’s a guessing game, and frankly, a gamble. So, if you need full wheelchair access, call. Double call. Triple call. Don't rely on a website description, I'm just saying. It’s a must before booking. (Important Note: I'm assuming, based on limited info, that real accessibility might be limited. Be prepared to call and ask!)
Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Hangry Moment)
Okay, now for the fun stuff. FOOD. My happy place. And Mar Do Leste DOES seem to have a decent offering.
- Multiple Restaurants: "Restaurants" plural? YES! Plus a Poolside bar? YES! Sign me up immediately!
- Buffet & A La Carte: I'm a buffet fiend. It's a personal failing. I can't not try everything. A la carte is great for when you've over-buffeted, and need something… more focused.
- Options Galore: Asian cuisine? International cuisine? Vegetarian options? SOLD! This is a big win, honestly.
- Breakfast Buffet: My favorite word combo. Buffet. Breakfast. Let's hope it's good and the coffee is strong. (I’m already dreaming of pastries, okay?). I can’t tell you how many “continental breakfasts” I've endured – shudder. I'm hoping this is the real deal. Western Breakfast? Asian Breakfast? Consider me intrigued.
- Extras: Snack Bar? Coffee Shop? Happy Hour? Yes, please! And I'm intrigued that have Bottled Water, its a small touch, but a good one.
Listen, I can already imagine myself, sun-kissed and slightly tipsy, perched on the poolside bar stool, a caipirinha in hand, debating whether to order the sushi or the pasta. Pure. Bliss.
Things to Do (Besides Eating Everything)
Okay, so maybe you’re NOT a complete food addict (like me!). There’s stuff to DO at Mar Do Leste.
- Relaxation Central: Spa, sauna, steamroom, massage, and a pool with a view. Okay, I can get behind that. Consider me officially relaxed.
- Fitness Fun: "Fitness center" and a Gym. I might hit the gym once to counteract all the buffet action. Might. No promises though.
- Body Boost: Body scrub and Body Wrap! Yes, yes, YES! (I'm all about the pampering)
Cleanliness and Safety - The COVID-19 Conundrum
Alright, let's address the ever-present elephant in the room: COVID. I'm pleased (and frankly, relieved) to see a real effort here.
- Seriously Sanitized: Anti-viral cleaning products? Daily Disinfection? Rooms Sanitized Between Stays? Doctor/Nurse on call? Sign me Up! This is the bare minimum, but I'm glad they're taking it seriously.
- **Other Safety: ** They have a 24 hour front desk, security, fire extinguishers, and smoke alarms. Good to see.
- Food Safety: They are going to have Sanitized kitchen items, I hope this means no food poisioning.
Rooms: Sleeping in Style?
Let's talk about the rooms because this can make or BREAK a hotel. (I had a nightmare in a hotel in Prague, and the tiny, windowless room just haunts me to this day…)
- Amenities Galore: Air conditioning? Check. Blackout curtains? Check. Coffee/tea maker? DUH. Free Wi-Fi? (See further down on that, though). Bathrobes and Slippers? Yes, I'm in.
- The Good Stuff: Daily housekeeping is a must. An In-room safe box. Great.
- Some things I'd love to see: Laptop workspace (big win!).
Services and Conveniences: The Little Details That Matter
Okay, let's see what else makes this place tick.
- Conveniences: "Cash withdrawal?" Yes, please. "Dry cleaning, laundry service?" Necessary. "Luggage storage?" Indispensable.
- Helpful Additions: Concierge, Doorman, Elevator. The small things add up!
Internet: The Modern Dilemma (And the Wi-Fi Woes)
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms: This is what all the other hotels say. We'll see about that.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Great.
For the Kids (If You Have ‘Em)
If you are bringing the kids, this place has a lot.
- Babysitting service? YES.
- Kids facilities? Cool!
- Kids meal? Awesome!
Getting Around: The Logistics
- Airport transfer? Important.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], and Taxi service: Great!
The "Escape to Paradise" Pitch (aka My Persuasion Attempt)
Listen, here's the deal. Pousada Mar Do Leste in Florianópolis sounds pretty damn good. It seems like a place where you can soak up the sun, sip cocktails, eat until you practically need a forklift to get you to the beach, and then retreat to a comfortable, well-appointed room. (Fingers crossed about the Wi-Fi, though!)
Here's my pitch – the reason you should book now: Because life is short, the world is wide, and you deserve a damn vacation. You deserve to escape. You deserve the buffets, the beach, and the blissful oblivion that only a truly good hotel can provide.
Here's my actual offer:
Book your stay at Pousada Mar Do Leste in Florianópolis NOW, and get a complimentary… well… something. (They, probably, have a deal. Check with them -- they'll figure it out) Bonus: Book direct, and you might get to skip the usual online drama. Trust me, those extra perks make all the difference in the world. Because, let's be honest, you deserve it.
Caveats (Because Honesty is the Best Policy):
- Accessibility is a question mark. Call and confirm!
- Wi-Fi reliability is a gamble. Be prepared for the possibility of digital detox.
- I haven't actually stayed there (yet!). But based on what I see and hear, it sounds like it could be an amazing experience.
Final Verdict:
Pousada Mar Do Leste, from what I can tell, is probably worth a shot. It has the potential to deliver the "Escape to Paradise" promise. Just do your homework. And then, book it! You'll thank me later. I hope!
Marriott's Aruba Surf Club: Paradise Found (Noord Aruba's Hidden Gem!)
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this ain't your beige, cookie-cutter itinerary. We're heading to Pousada Mar Do Leste in Florianopolis, Brazil – and believe me, this is gonna be a rollercoaster. My brain, like my suitcase, is a chaotic masterpiece. Here we go… (deep breath)
Florianopolis Fiasco: A Messy Itinerary (and probably a sunburn)
Day 1: Arrival & Beach Bum Bliss (or the utter chaos of unpacking)
Morning (ish - let's be real, probably mid-afternoon): Arrive at Hercílio Luz International Airport (FLN). After the epic flight delays, the customs line was a borderline Hunger Games situation. I'm pretty sure I saw a lady wrestling a carry-on that was clearly defying all known laws of physics. Finally, bliss (ish). Taxi to Pousada Mar Do Leste. The driver… well, let's just say his driving style was "aggressive poetry in motion." I'm pretty sure my life flashed before my eyes approximately seven times.
Afternoon: Unpacking and the existential dread of the beach. Okay, the Pousada is adorable, even better than the pictures. But unpacking? The bane of my existence. I swear, my suitcase is a black hole. I had three different types of sunscreen, don't ask. And the swimwear situation? Turns out, I packed an entire wardrobe of stuff I wouldn't be caught dead in. Okay, beach time. I am beyond excited, but I am also terrified. Did I pack enough books? What if I get a sunburn? I should remember my hat. Okay, I am ready.
Late Afternoon: Joaquina Beach! (and the Sand-in-Everything Incident) Oh. My. God. Joaquina Beach. The sand is so fine, it's like walking on powdered sugar. I felt like some kind of beach goddess, until, you know, sand. The sand is everywhere. In my hair, in my swimsuit, in places it has no business being. I made a mental note to buy industrial strength goggles and a hazmat suit for the next beach day. Sun's going down. Time to get my drink on.
Evening: Pousada's First Night Outings I am getting settled in as the sun sets. The Pousada has a laid-back vibe, and the staff is genuinely friendly. Ordered some fresh seafood at a nearby restaurant, the grilled fish was a simple perfection. This part, I really loved.
Day 2: The Hiking Debacle & the Great Pastel Fiasco of 2024
- Morning: Hiking up the hill. I woke up determined and ambitious. I had convinced myself that I would hike up a nearby mountain, or hill or whatever. The views were promised. The trek turned out to be more of a "mild incline of doom." My legs screamed at me. Halfway up, I considered turning back. The view was pretty. But, I still had to decide if the view was worth a sweat. I soldiered on, mostly because my stubborn nature had kicked in. Was it worth it in the end? Probably. But if I'm honest here, I'd happily trade the view for a double shot of espresso.
- Afternoon: The Pastel Quest. Now for a serious matter: Pastels. I was on a mission. I needed to find the best damn pastel (a savory pastry) on the island. I went to the local market, and my eyes went straight for the pastel carts. I tried the cheese, the meat, the shrimp. I may have gotten a little carried away. Let's just say the pastel count was… high. But hey, research. And the best one? The one with the perfectly crispy crust and a filling that literally melts in your mouth. Chef's kiss.
- Evening: More Seafood, More Wine, and the Dreaded Mosquitoes. Tonight's dinner was another seafood restaurant in the neighborhood, and I drank the rest of some wine. It was blissful. Then, the mosquitoes descended. I'm pretty sure they saw me as a mobile buffet. I swore I was going to start carrying around a flamethrower, but instead, I bought a spray and a citronella candle. Lesson learned: Mosquitoes are a serious hazard.
Day 3: The Surf's Up (and I'm Underwater)
- Morning: Attempting to Surf (and failing spectacularly). The surfing lessons were something special, to say the least. I've always admired surfers, but I'm pretty sure I'm more of a 'sit on the beach and look pretty' kind of person. I wiped out hard on my first attempt and swallowed about a gallon of seawater. I think I spent more time underwater than on top of the board, and every single muscle in my body was screaming in protest.
- Afternoon: Beach Recovery and Realizations. Spent the afternoon sunbathing to recover from my attempt to surf. It was much needed. I spent hours taking in the breathtaking view. I also realized that I am probably not destined to be a surfer.
- Evening: Farewell Dinner and the existential dread of leaving. Enjoyed my last dinner at a beachfront restaurant. Reflecting on my time here, the good and the bad. Time to pack up again and head home.
Quirks and Observations:
- The Locals: Amazingly friendly, even when I butchered their language. They put up with my terrible attempts at Portuguese with a grace that I definitely don't deserve.
- The Food: The food is simply divine. The fresh seafood, the tropical fruits, the pastels… it's a constant assault on the taste buds in the best possible way.
- My Sunburn: It's inevitable I would probably get super sunburnt. I did indeed.
Emotional Reactions:
- Joy: The beaches! The food! The feeling of being utterly, completely, beautifully away.
- Frustration: The sand, the mosquitoes, my complete lack of surfing skills.
- Anticipation: The next adventure!
- Messy Thoughts: I kind of want to start planning the next trip now. It's crazy. Even on the worst day, I wouldn't trade the experiences for anything.
Final Thoughts (and probably a sunburn update):
This trip wasn't perfect. There were some near-misses, some moments of extreme frustration, and more sand than I knew what to do with. But that's the beauty of it. It was real. It was messy. It was mine. And I wouldn't trade it for the world. Next time, I'm bringing industrial-strength mosquito repellent and maybe a surf instructor who's patient. And a hazmat suit. Just in case.
Adios for now. (And I should probably go apply more aloe vera…)
Escape to Paradise: Srinual Lodge, Your Nan Thailand Oasis Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Florianopolis' Pousada Mar Do Leste Awaits! - Seriously, You Should Go. (Maybe)
Okay, Okay, I'm intrigued. What *is* Pousada Mar Do Leste, anyway? And why's your header so enthusiastic?
Alright, deep breaths. Pousada Mar Do Leste... Picture this: a bunch of colorful, lovingly-built bungalows nestled right on the beach in Praia do Moçambique, Florianopolis. That alone should sell it, right? Seriously, the beach is UNREAL. Long, sandy, basically untouched. Okay, okay, the enthusiasm? I just got back. I'm still half-sand, half-sunburn, and completely obsessed. It's not a five-star resort, mind you. Think charming, rustic, and full of character. And that character... that's what makes it.
Is it actually *on* the beach? Because some places... LIE.
Nope, no lies here! You literally roll out of your bungalow (after you've wrestled the mosquito net situation, more on that later) and… BAM! Sand. Like, a few feet of sand, and then the ocean. I even woke up one morning (ok, maybe it was after a particularly potent caipirinha the night before) and practically tripped over a sandcastle a kid had built. It's *that* close. Don't expect a high-tech beach club vibe though. This is about pure, unadulterated beach bliss.
What are the rooms like? Give me the honest truth… because I'm picturing horror movie motels.
Oof, okay, the rooms. This is where things get… *real*. They're charming in a slightly-worn, beach-bum-chic kind of way. Think simple, clean, with a comfy bed (the *most* important thing, right?!), and a mosquito net that you WILL fight with at least once. Mine had a perfectly fine bathroom, but the water pressure was… let’s just say you weren't washing off any super serious mud. Also, the wifi? Let's be honest, it's a luxury. Embrace the digital detox. The best part? Each bungalow has a little porch with a hammock. That hammock… I practically lived in it. Read books, napped, watched the waves. Glorious.
Alright, let's talk food. Is the Pousada any good at keeping your stomach happy? Because bad food can ruin a whole trip, you know?
The breakfast is included, which is a HUGE win in my book. Think fresh fruit (passion fruit, mango, the works!), bread, cheese, ham, and sometimes scrambled eggs. Nothing fancy, but more than enough to fuel your beach-bumming adventures. They also have a small restaurant/bar. The food is decent. I had some amazing grilled fish one night. But, let's be honest, the real star of the show is the location. You're steps away from other restaurants along the beach. Some of them were GREAT for a late-night snack after a long day. Also, I'd highly recommend stocking up on snacks from the local supermarket - because afternoon hunger is a REAL thing whilst lounging on the beach, right?
You keep mentioning the beach. Tell me, is it actually as amazing as you're making it sound? Because I'm cynical.
Okay, okay, I get it. You're a skeptic. But Praia do Moçambique… it's breathtaking. Miles and miles of pristine sand. Gentle waves that are perfect for swimming. I spent DAYS just… *being* there. Reading, napping, building ridiculously bad sandcastles. (I’m not a sandcastle artist, okay?!). It's the kind of beach where you can truly disconnect. The only downside? Sometimes the wind picks up, and the sand gets everywhere. And I mean *everywhere*. Still, totally worth it.
Any activities beyond beach bumming? I get restless.
Well, aside from the obvious – swimming, sunbathing, and generally pretending you're a mermaid – there are options. Surfing is popular, and there are surf schools nearby. You can hike through the dunes, which is actually pretty fun (and a good way to work off all that caipirinha). You can explore the nearby town of Barra da Lagoa (which is very cute), and take boat trips to see the dolphins. Honestly though? I just preferred the beach. I did take a day trip to the more crowded beaches in the south, where the waters were calm and there was more activity, but I missed the solitude of Moçambique. Ah, and definitely try stand-up paddleboarding. The sunsets from the water are amazing
So, there must be *something* you didn't like. Spill the tea!
Okay, the "tea." The Wi-Fi can be a bit… temperamental. Don't rely on it. And while the staff is lovely, sometimes they're on "Brazilian time," which means things might not happen *instantly*. Be patient and enjoy the vibes. Also, the bungalows are not soundproof. So if you get loud neighbors, you'll know it. One night, the monkeys were particularly rowdy, and I didn't get much sleep. I actually ended up yelling (in a whisper) at the monkeys "SHUT UP!" (It didn't work). Also, if you are a super-sensitive person, the occasional sandfly bite may leave you itching for a while. But honestly, the good *far* outweighed the bad.
Is it family-friendly?
Yes! I saw plenty of families with kids. The beach is very safe, with gentle waves. The kids seemed to be having a blast. Just be prepared for the fact that kids = noise. If you crave total silence, you’ll need to request a room away from the main area, or find a more 'adults only' place.
How about accessibility, any thoughts on the matter?
From what I observed, it's not the most accessible place, specifically for mobility issues. The pathways are sandy/gravelly which can be difficult for wheelchairs or someone with mobility assistance. And you know the whole "beach is right there" thing? Yeah, you've got to cross the sand to get there. Also, the bungalows have a step or two to get in, so it can be hard. I didn't look at them myself, but the other pousadas in the area may be easier to get around, and they look equally as amazing! And I felt bad not knowing!
Okay, you've convinced me. How do I book?
